Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.

Dubai underwater: Rain floods UAE, kills 70-year-old man

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 17 Apr 2024 10:09
3 Min Read

The UAE is seeing unprecedented heavy rainfall that flooded Dubai and halted all transportation operations.

  • x
  • Vehicles sit abandoned in floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024 (AP)
    Vehicles sit abandoned in floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP)

The United Arab Emirates witnessed on Tuesday the harshest thunderstorm in its records as Dubai's airport and highways were completely flooded, blocking auto and civilian mobility.

The storm hit the country on Monday night, accumulating around 0.79 inches of rain. The weather intensified soon after, flooding the "already overwhelmed" cities with 5.59 inches of rain, the first phenomenon of its kind since Dubai began documenting its weather fluctuations. 

In Fujairah, an emirate on the eastern coast, 5.7 inches of rainfall flooded the roads, a record for the country. 

The UAE's record before Tuesday stood at 3.73 inches of rain, prompting the state to declare Tuesday's weather situation a "historic event".

As a result, the Dubai International Airport was forced to halt incoming flights as roads leading to and out of the airport were not viable for transportation. An anonymous couple spoke to the Associated Press and described the "absolute carnage" at the airport.

They stated that taxis were out of order, which forced people to remain and sleep at the airport or in metro stations. They also shared that they managed to get a taxi before it had to halt mobility due to the floods.

Related News

Dubai Airshow bars Israeli firms amid tensions over Gaza war

Post-colonial neoliberalism is reshaping Arab cities one by one

Current situation of Dubai Airport pic.twitter.com/rh8wCxEKkj

— Dr Honey choudhary (DOCTORS SQUAD ) (@Doctors__squad) April 17, 2024

As flights were affected and land transportation was paused, commuting was rendered limited, prompting airport authorities to state that recovery would take time. 

Moreover, authorities had to instate a school shutdown, as well as a stay-home advisory. When trucks pumped water into the sewers to open roads back up, the flood poured into civilian infrastructure as well, forcing families out of their homes.

AP reported that no governmental toll information has been provided thus far, but reports stated that families were forced to sleep in their cars. However, a few were swept away, killing a 70-year-old man who had spent the night in his car.

Rainfall is an uncommon occurrence in the UAE. Due to the infrequency of rain, many roads and other areas lack proper drainage systems, leading to instances of flooding.

Additionally, rain was reported in Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In Oman, heavy rains resulted in at least 18 fatalities in recent days, as stated by the country’s National Committee for Emergency Management on Tuesday. Among the victims were approximately 10 schoolchildren who were swept away in a vehicle along with an adult.

Read more: Taiwan issues tsunami warning after 7.4 magnitude quake

  • Dubai
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Storm
  • Floods
STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS